Traction device

ABSTRACT

A traction device for maximizing traction between the wheels of a motor vehicle and a road surface including an elongated leverlike bar and a clamping assembly operably connected thereto for clamping the bar to the rear axle housing of the motor vehicle. The clamping assembly includes a pair of elongated loop-like clamp members adjustably mounted on the bar having one end thereof extending generally perpendicular to the central axis of the bar and the opposite end thereof extending in generally angular relation with respect to the central axis of the bar. A saddle-like bracket member connects the opposite ends of the clamp members together and engages the bar in cradle-like relation to maintain maximum clamping engagement of the bar with the axle housing.

United States Patent Schubeck s41 TRACTION DEVICE [72] Inventor: JosephJ. Schubeck, Lakewood,

211 App]. No.2 67,419

52 us. 01. ..267/66,267/52,180/71, I 280/124 511 1m. 01. ..F16f 1/22 581Field ofSearch ..-.267/66,'67,52;180/71; p I 230 124 [56] ReferencesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS v 6 3,191,711 6/1965 Conner "267/663,406,957 10/1968 Almquist,Jr. ..267/67 I mi m V1 5 12 PrimaryExaminer-James B. Marbert Attomey-Teare, Teare & Sammon ABSTRACT Atraction device for maximizing traction between the wheels of a motorvehicle and a road surface including an elongated lever-like bar and aclamping assembly operably connected thereto for clamping the bar to therear axle housing of the motor vehicle. The clamping assembly includes apair of elongated loop-like clamp members adjustably mounted on the barhaving one end thereof extending generally perpendicular to the centralaxis of the bar and the opposite end thereof extending in generallyangular relation with respect to the central axis of the bar. Asaddle-like bracket member connects the opposite ends of the clampmembers together and engages the bar in cradle-like relation to maintainmaximum clamping engagement of the bar with the axle housing.

6 Clains, 4 Drawing Figures minimum 5 I972 SHEET 2 BF 2 FIG.3

INVENTOR.

JOSEPH J. SCHUBECK ATTORNEYS TRACTION DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to traction devices,and more particularlyto traction devices adapted for maintaining the wheels of a motorvehicle, such as drag racing car or the like, in contact with the roadsurface.

Traction devices have been employed for some time in drag racing cars toreduce and/or eliminate wheel hop and enhances weight transfer to therear wheels of the car, and thus, provide maximum contact or engagementof the wheels of the car with the road surface during acceleration ofthe car. Normally, a pair of such traction devices are mounted adjacentthe respective rear wheels of the car being supported in clampedrelation on the rear axle housing. Generally, these devices consist ofan elongated support bar which extends laterally beneath the leaf-springassociated witheach of the rear wheels, and which is clamped to therearaxle housing by loop-like bolts. These devices have'served toprevent the leaf-springs from wrapping-up, and thus, maintain theleaf-springs in a relatively flexible or cushioning" condition toprevent wheel hop. Although these former devices have performedsatisfactorily to reduce wheel hop and increase traction, other problemshave been encountered. For example, these devices have normally been ofa welded construction, and thus, the extremely great stresses imposedthereon during acceleration of the car have caused cracking or breakingof welds adjacent the rear axle housing. Recently, these devices havebeen provided with stress-transferring clamp members which have servedto transfer the stress longitudinally along the support bar and awayfrom the rear axle housing. Although this latter arrangement hasproven'to be .effective in transferringthe stresses, they have not beenfound to be entirely satisfactory. More specifically, the stressesimparted to the clamp members have created problems in coupling theterminal ends of the clamp members to the support bar so as to maintainmaximum gripping contact thereof with the support bar, and thus, therear axle housing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates providing animproved device for maintaining the wheels of a motor vehicle, such as adrag racing car or the like, in contact with a road surface uponacceleration of the vehicle. The device includes an elongated,lever-like support bar and a clamping assembly operably connectedthereto for clamping the bar to the rear axle housing of the motorvehicle. The support bar includes upper and lower walls and the clampingassembly couples the axle housing to the upper wall thereof. Theclamping assembly includ s a pair of elongated loop-like clamp whichextend laterally in engaged relation along opposite sides of the supportbar having their central axis extending in angular relation with respectto the central axis of the support bar. Further, the central axes of theclamp members adjacent the other ends extend generally parallel to thecentral axis of the associated arms of the bracket member. The lowerends of the arms are connectedby a bight portion extending along thelower wall of the support bar. An abutment member depends outwardly fromthe lower wall of the supportbar for coacting abutting engagement withthe bight portion toprevent lateral shifting movement of the bracketmember with respect to the central axis of the support bar. Stillfurther, the respective arms extend laterally and outwardly in engagedrelation along opposite sides of the bar being adapted for detachableconnectionto the clamp members.

By the foregoing arrangement, the bracket member is subject to minimumdistortion adjacent the under side of the support member, and thus, thebight portion is prevented from bending, such as bowing outwardly awayfrom the bar. In addition, the respective terminal ends of the clampmembers terminate adjacent the opposite sides of the support barresulting in an extremely compact structure havinga relatively smoothsilhouette along the under side thereof, as compared to other knowndevices.

BRIEFDESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of thetraction device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side-elevation view of the traction device illustrated inFIG. 1 showing the device mounted on an axle housing;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the traction device of the presentinvention when looking from the top of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring again to FIG. 1, thereis illustrated, generally at 2, a traction device utilizing the presentinvention. As shown, the device includes an elongated, lever-likesupport bar 4 which is equipped with clamp members, such as bolts 6,adapted to clamp the support bar onto the rear axle housing H (FIG. 2)of a motor vehicle, such as a drag racing car or the like. The sup portbar 4 is shown as including hanger-like mounting brackets 8 adapted toreceive a leaf-spring S therethrough for aligning the support bar 4therewith. A snubber member 10 is carried adjacent the forward end ofthe bar 4 being adapted for abutting engagement with the spring S toreduce distortion or wrapping-up thereof during acceleration of thevehicle. As shown, the bar 4 includes a mounting plate 12 adapted forseating engagement with the spring S in the installed position of thedevice 2. Generally, the housing I-I includes a downwardly dependingsupport yoke 14 being adapted to coact with the support plate 12 toclamp the spring S therebetween upon tightening of the clamp members 6.As shown, one end of each of the clamp members 6 is connected to thesupport plate 12 while the opposite end thereof is detachably connectedto a saddle-like bracket adapted to receive the support bar 4 incradle-like relation to assure maximum clamping engagement of the clampmembers 6 to the rear axle housing during the acceleration period of thevehicle.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the support bar 4 may be of a hollowconstruction being generally rectangular in transverse cross-section(FIG. 4) having spaced, generally parallel side walls 18 and 20 andspaced, upper and lower walls 22 and 24, respectively. The support plate12 is shown as being mounted adjacent the rearend of the bar 4, and maybe secured adjacent the upper wall 22 thereof, such as by welding or thelike. The bar 4 extends generally laterally and forwardly beneath thespring S with the snubber member 10 engaging the underside thereof. Asshown, the snubber member 10 engages the spring S between the forwardend thereof and the support plate 12 to resist bending movement of thespring S upon acceleration of the vehicle.

In the form shown, the clamp members 6 are generally inverted J-shapedin configuration'each including a generally linearly extending short leg28 detachably connected to the support plate 12, such as by nuts 24 orthe like, and a generally linearly extend ing long leg 30 beingdetachably connected to the brackets 16, such as by nuts 26 or the like.The legs 28 and 30 are joined together by a curved bight portion 32adapted to overly and engage the axle housing H in the installedposition of the device 2. Further, the short leg 28 extends generallyperpendicular to the lengthwise axis of the bar 4 while the longer leg30 extends in a generally angular relation with respect thereto. By thisarrangement, the support plate 12 will be drawn up into engagement withthe underside of the springs forcing the latter into engagement with thebracket 4 thus clamping the spring in tight seating engagementtherebetween. As the snubber member 10 is maintained in contact with thespring S at a spaced distance between the support plate and the forwardend of the spring S, the support bar 4 will add substantial rigidity tothe spring S to prevent distortion thereto during the accelerationperiod. The hanger members 8 may be maintained out of contact with thespring S or may be adjusted to be brought into contact therewith tofurther reduce any distortion in the spring S during the accelerationperiod, as desired.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the saddle -like bracket 16 is shown as beinggenerally U-shaped in front elevation having a pair of oppositelydisposed arms 34 and 36 which extend laterally along the side walls 18and 20, respectively. The arms 34 and 36 are joined at their lowerextremity by a bight portion 38 which is adapted to abuttingly engagethe under side of the bar 4. As shown, the bar 4 is provided with awedge-shaped block 40 having an inclined abutment surface 42 forabutting engagement with the interior surface of the bight porin engagedrelation with the walls 18 and 20 thus preventing them from being bentinwardly toward one another, and therefore, prevent bowing or distortionof the bight portion, 38. As can be seen, this arrangement obviates thenecessity of the bight portion 38 being physically secured to the blockmemb'er 40 or if secured thereto, such as by welding or the like, willsubstantially reduce the likelihood of fracturing or breaking of suchwelds.

In addition, the arms 34 and 36 of the brackets 16 have theirlongitudinal axis generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of therespective long legs 30 of the clamp member 6 with the terminal ends 50of the long legs 30 terminating adjacent the side walls 18 and 20between the upper and lower walls 22 and 24 resulting in a highlycompact structure extremely desirable in those applications havinglimited space available.

What is claimed is:

1. In a traction device including an elongated, leverlike bar having aclamping assembly connected thereto for clamping said barto the axlehousing of a motor vehicle,

said clamping assembly comprising,

a pair of elongated loop-like clamp members having their opposed endsadjustably mounted on said bar,

one end of each of said clamp members extending perpendicular to thecentral axis of said bar,

the other end of each said clamp members extending in generally angularrelation with respect to the central axis of said bar, I

a saddle-like bracket member connecting said other ends together andengaging said bar in cradle-like relation to maintain maximum clampingengagement of said device with said axle housing,

said bracket member is generally U-shaped in configuration including apair of elongated, laterally extending arms having their central axisextending in angular relation with respect to the central axis of saidbar,

the lower extremities of said arms being connected by a bite portion,

said bite portion extending along the under side of said bar, and

an abutment member depending outwardly from said bar for coactingabutting engagement with said bite portion to prevent lateral shiftingmovement of said bracket member with respect to said bar.

2. In a traction device for use with a motor vehicle of the typeincluding an axle housing and a leaf spring underlying and supportingthe axle housing, and wherein said traction device includes anelongated, lever-like bar having an upper surface and an under surfaceand adapted to underlie and engage said leaf spring in the mountedposition thereof, and a clamping assembly mounted on said bar,

said clamping assembly comprising,

a pair of elongated loop-like clamp members adapted to overlie andengage said axle housing in the mounted position thereof,

each of said clamp members having its opposed ends connected to said barin laterally spaced relation in the lengthwise direction of said bar,

the said opposed ends of each of said clamp members extending in theirlengthwise direction angularly with respect to the lengthwise directionof said bar and at least one end of said opposed ends of each of saidclamp members in their lengthwise direction extending in the lengthwisedirection of said bars,

a U-shaped bracket member connecting said one end of each said clampmembers to said bar, and urging said bar into engagement with said leafspring in the installed position thereof,

said bracket member including a pair of spaced, laterally extending armseach having their lengthwise axis extending upwardly alongside and inangular relation with respect to the lengthwise axis of said bar forconnecting said one end of each of said clamp members above the undersurface of said bar,

one end of each of said arms being connected to a respective one end ofeach of said clamp members,

the opposite ends of each of said arms being connected by a biteportion, and 7 an abutment depending from said bar for coacting,abutting engagement with said bite portion upon clamping engagement ofsaid clamp members on said axle housing to urge said bar into engagementwith said leaf spring and to prevent lateral shifting movement of saidbracket member with respect to said bar to retain said bar in engagementwith said leaf spring in the installed position thereon.

3. In a traction device in accordance with claim 2,

wherein,

said arms extend upwardly and in engaged relation on opposite sides ofsaid bar.

4. In a traction device in accordance with claim 2,

wherein wherein said lug members are positioned upwardly from the underside of said bar and project outwardly away from one another, and

- said one end of each of said clamp members terminate above the underside of said bar. 6, A traction device for use with a motor vehicle ofthe type including an axle housing and a leaf spring underlying andsupporting the axle housing comprising,

an elongated, lever-like bar adapted to underlie and engage said leafspring in the mounted position thereof,

a clamping assembly mounted on said bar,

said clamping assembly including a pair of elongated loop-like membersadapted to overlie and engage said 3X16 housing in the mounted positionthereof,

each of said clamp members having its opposed ends connected to said barin laterally spaced relation in the lengthwise direction of said bar,

the said opposed ends of each of said clamp members extending in theirlengthwise direction angularly with respect to the lengthwise directionof said bar and at least one end of said opposed ends of each of saidclamp members in their lengthwise direction extending in the lengthwisedirection of a l fsi izi gflbracket member connecting said one end ofeach said clamp members to said bar, and urging said bar into engagementwith said leaf spring in the installed position thereof,

said bracket member including a pair of spaced laterally extending armseach having their lengthwise axis extending upwardly alongside and inangular relation with respect to the lengthwise axis of said bar forconnecting said one end of each of said clamp members above the undersurface of said bar,

one end of each of said arms being connected to a respective one end ofeach of said clamp members,

the opposite ends of each of said arms being connected by a biteportion, and

an abutment depending from said bar for coacting, abutting engagementwith said bite portion upon clamping engagement of said clamp members onsaid axle housing to urge said bar into engagement with said leaf springand to prevent lateral shifting movement of said, bracket member withrespect to said bar to retain said bar in engagement with said leafspring in the installed position thereon.

1. In a traction device including an elongated, lever-like bar havinG aclamping assembly connected thereto for clamping said bar to the axlehousing of a motor vehicle, said clamping assembly comprising, a pair ofelongated loop-like clamp members having their opposed ends adjustablymounted on said bar, one end of each of said clamp members extendingperpendicular to the central axis of said bar, the other end of eachsaid clamp members extending in generally angular relation with respectto the central axis of said bar, a saddle-like bracket member connectingsaid other ends together and engaging said bar in cradle-like relationto maintain maximum clamping engagement of said device with said axlehousing, said bracket member is generally U-shaped in configurationincluding a pair of elongated, laterally extending arms having theircentral axis extending in angular relation with respect to the centralaxis of said bar, the lower extremities of said arms being connected bya bite portion, said bite portion extending along the under side of saidbar, and an abutment member depending outwardly from said bar forcoacting abutting engagement with said bite portion to prevent lateralshifting movement of said bracket member with respect to said bar.
 2. Ina traction device for use with a motor vehicle of the type including anaxle housing and a leaf spring underlying and supporting the axlehousing, and wherein said traction device includes an elongated,lever-like bar having an upper surface and an under surface and adaptedto underlie and engage said leaf spring in the mounted position thereof,and a clamping assembly mounted on said bar, said clamping assemblycomprising, a pair of elongated loop-like clamp members adapted tooverlie and engage said axle housing in the mounted position thereof,each of said clamp members having its opposed ends connected to said barin laterally spaced relation in the lengthwise direction of said bar,the said opposed ends of each of said clamp members extending in theirlengthwise direction angularly with respect to the lengthwise directionof said bar and at least one end of said opposed ends of each of saidclamp members in their lengthwise direction extending in the lengthwisedirection of said bars, a U-shaped bracket member connecting said oneend of each said clamp members to said bar, and urging said bar intoengagement with said leaf spring in the installed position thereof, saidbracket member including a pair of spaced, laterally extending arms eachhaving their lengthwise axis extending upwardly alongside and in angularrelation with respect to the lengthwise axis of said bar for connectingsaid one end of each of said clamp members above the under surface ofsaid bar, one end of each of said arms being connected to a respectiveone end of each of said clamp members, the opposite ends of each of saidarms being connected by a bite portion, and an abutment depending fromsaid bar for coacting, abutting engagement with said bite portion uponclamping engagement of said clamp members on said axle housing to urgesaid bar into engagement with said leaf spring and to prevent lateralshifting movement of said bracket member with respect to said bar toretain said bar in engagement with said leaf spring in the installedposition thereon.
 3. In a traction device in accordance with claim 2,wherein, said arms extend upwardly and in engaged relation on oppositesides of said bar.
 4. In a traction device in accordance with claim 2,wherein each of said arms include a lug member adjacent the ends remotefrom said bite portion adapted for detachable connection to a respectiveone end of each of said clamp members.
 5. In a traction device inaccordance with claim 4, wherein said lug members are positionedupwardly from the under side of said bar and project outwardly away fromone another, and said one end of each of said clamp members terminateabove the under side of said bar.
 6. A Traction device for use with amotor vehicle of the type including an axle housing and a leaf springunderlying and supporting the axle housing comprising, an elongated,lever-like bar adapted to underlie and engage said leaf spring in themounted position thereof, a clamping assembly mounted on said bar, saidclamping assembly including a pair of elongated loop-like membersadapted to overlie and engage said axle housing in the mounted positionthereof, each of said clamp members having its opposed ends connected tosaid bar in laterally spaced relation in the lengthwise direction ofsaid bar, the said opposed ends of each of said clamp members extendingin their lengthwise direction angularly with respect to the lengthwisedirection of said bar and at least one end of said opposed ends of eachof said clamp members in their lengthwise direction extending in thelengthwise direction of said bars, a U-shaped bracket member connectingsaid one end of each said clamp members to said bar, and urging said barinto engagement with said leaf spring in the installed position thereof,said bracket member including a pair of spaced laterally extending armseach having their lengthwise axis extending upwardly alongside and inangular relation with respect to the lengthwise axis of said bar forconnecting said one end of each of said clamp members above the undersurface of said bar, one end of each of said arms being connected to arespective one end of each of said clamp members, the opposite ends ofeach of said arms being connected by a bite portion, and an abutmentdepending from said bar for coacting, abutting engagement with said biteportion upon clamping engagement of said clamp members on said axlehousing to urge said bar into engagement with said leaf spring and toprevent lateral shifting movement of said bracket member with respect tosaid bar to retain said bar in engagement with said leaf spring in theinstalled position thereon.